Historically, Facebook hasn’t been known for providing the most outstanding experience in the mobile sphere. But by giving developers a handful of new tools, Facebookers “on the go” can soon expect to encounter far more user friendly capabilities. While this is great news for the people whose use of Facebook is limited to the personal, it’s even greater news for business owners and application developers who use it professionally.

Infusing Open Graph with Mobility

For years, Facebook has provided a handy set of tools and APIs that allow third party developers to design applications that easily assimilate into its open graph. The newly announced developments expand that freedom and make it possible to employ those applications in a seamless fashion when a user accesses Facebook via their mobile device. Considering the fact that mobile use of the internet is expanding at an astronomical rate, this is vital to giving businesses the necessary tools to continue to use Facebook to drive business.

Better Mobile Link Sharing

Another great improvement being rolled out is the ability for developers to improve upon link sharing through Facebook’s new native Share Dialog. Before, developers were limited to what users could accomplish on their mobile devices. This made sharing things on Facebook – a critically important tool for social media marketing – cumbersome at best and near impossible at worst. Currently, the native Share Dialog is only available for iOS applications and even that is still in beta test mode. Plans are to release a beta version for Android soon.

Updates to SDK for iOS

Adding further improvements to the design experience and expanding the capabilities of developers that work in iOS, Facebook has also rolled out a significant update to its SDK (Software Development Kit). It was also announced that Facebook will soon make its SDK available for Android developers.

The End Goal

Transforming Facebook into an even more application friendly place is the end goal. Giving professionals the tools necessary to integrate their applications with Facebook and make sharing simpler will help usher that progress along. As everyone should by now already know, operating a highly usable website and offering applications that are catered to mobile use is key to driving engagement and maximizing visibility. This is something that the new developer tools on offer by Facebook will help ensure. Already, Facebook is compatible with the vast majority of the top 100 best selling iOS and Android apps on the market – 81 percent for iOS and 70 percent for Android. The recently announced tweaks will serve to throw the door open to the possibility for businesses and developers to reach even more people, well into the hundreds of millions.

Where Do I Start?

Contact Artisan Talent today to learn more about marketing your application to the masses. Artisan also provides resources that can put you into direct contact with a fulltime interactive designer or app developer who can help you achieve your website and application objectives. If you’re an experienced developer interested in honing your craft or finding a freelance web designer job, Artisan’s platform enables you to post your resume and contact information for businesses and talent recruiters to see. Check out your options.

Vince F is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.

Cold emails are annoying. At least, they can be. Done right, a cold email can help land you the job you’ve been fantasizing about. Done incorrectly, a cold email may be ignored or, worse, damage your chances of landing an interview.

Problems with cold emails, broken down very plainly:

• People respond well to sincerity. Cold emails are sales pitches, and sales pitches, particularly sales pitches that appear unsolicited and from a stranger, have the ring of cheapness and falsity.
• People are busy. They have little or no time to spend on a stranger asking for a job. Ask anyone in HR – one more cold, clueless cry for help, usually from someone who hasn’t bothered to research the job or the company, is hard for them to get excited about.

So cold-emailing sounds problematic, right? Don’t give up. There’s a way to do it effectively.

First, network. Network, network, network. Don’t have a LinkedIn account yet? We strongly recommend setting one up – you’ll almost definitely do fine with the free version. You should be scouring your connections on social media websites every day. Email people. Chat people up. Ideally, you should be making one hundred new contacts per month. It’s easier than it sounds once you get some momentum going and start to enjoy meeting new people.

Ok, so now you’ve made some contacts and you know a guy who knows a guy at that company, the one you fantasize about. Now what? You’ve got this one chance. This is crucial: Your first contact must be memorable and worth reading. Not over-the-top memorable, but articulate, witty, concise, and of course, sincere. Be yourself, be your best self, and find some way to be uniquely yourself, while showing off how much you a) know about the company and b) what a great asset you can be.

You should put a lot of thought into this letter, and then put some more thought into it. Research the company. Read other letters to find inspiration. Avoid cliches. Use creative sentence structures. Complete a few drafts if you need. Use a conversational style that embodies your personality, but makes you sound smart and valuable. Have a friend read it. If you need to, don’t be afraid to trash it and start over.

Once you’ve sent the email, give it a little time. A week is about right. Then follow up. Be gracious in your follow-up emails. Use them as a reason to remind your potential employers of your interest in their work, or pass along a useful update.

Maybe you get an interview, or a meeting over coffee. Sometimes, you won’t. If cold emailing doesn’t work, don’t be disheartened. You simply need more powerful people on your side to crack this nut. Keep scouring the internet ads, career-building websites, and in-person networking events.

Talk to a talent representative at Artisan.

By matching yourself with a representative who understands your abilities and your goals, you may land that job after all. Different agencies specialize in different career types, so find the one that’s right for you. For example, a good creative talent agency can help if a career in web design, UX design, or highly specialized copywriting is where you’re headed. Talent advocates such as the people at Artisan can match candidates with the top employers in their industries, and we often have inside contacts that can get you the placement you want more quickly than you could do it alone. Drop us a line today and we’ll get started.

 Where Are We Now? Taking a Look at Today’s Stats

While 25 percent may not seem like a lot to the uninformed eye, it’s important to first look at where the percentages stand today with respect to mobile retail transactions. In doing so, we begin to get some perspective. In 2011, the percentage of online retail sales that took place on mobile devices was seven; in 2012, that number jumped to 11 percent. Although we’re only at the midway point of 2013, signs are already pointing to a substantial leap in mobile retail sales that will drive numbers upwards of 15 percent. A leap to 25 percent in the next four years translates to more than $100 billion per year in transactions for retailers. Those who want to get a slice of that enormously lucrative pie are urged to get on the mobile retail bandwagon sooner rather than later.

The Action is in Tablet Form

Not surprisingly, it’s also predicted that the majority of mobile retail sales will take place not on smart phones, but on tablets. While the boom in the tablet industry isn’t expected to slow down developments in the smart phone arena, the much larger screens and vastly improved browsing experiences that tablets offer will ultimately result in higher numbers of purchases taking place away from the home. Experts believe that by the year 2017, tablets will account for 70 percent of mobile retail sales. Smart phones, on the other hand, are expected to account for 25 percent of mobile business.

Ready, Set, Capitalize

What do these numbers mean for businesses seeking to maximize online profits? For one, they’re clear indication that there is still plenty of room to grow when it comes to ecommerce, and that growth opportunities have not leveled off. For another, it underscores the urgency for retailers of making their sites compatible with mobile devices. Those who make it easier for their customers to purchase from anywhere at any time – whether out and about town or a thousand miles from home – will reap the benefits of our increasingly mobile society.

And that’s not all. The percentages also bode well for individuals looking for a job in mobile design or seeking to explore their options in web design careers. With an expected influx of work creating mobile apps and redesigning websites for mobile compatibility, the job market for professionals in this field will likely grow on a level far above the national average. All of these scenarios translate to “more jobs, more business.”

Embrace the Future with Artisan Talent

Artisan Talent is a resource for businesses in need of mobile design to discover talented professionals who can help them achieve their mobile design goals. It’s also an equally beneficial resource for freelance developers to post their resumes and gain increased visibility on the job market. Whether you’re a small business owner, the head of a marketing department, or a developer seeking work, Artisan Talent is the platform that can facilitate your objective. To get started, contact us today.

Vince F is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.

Here are three time-wasters, all of which can be avoided with due diligence or a good online recruiter, and how to avoid these pitfalls.

1. Vague Job Descriptions

Hasty postings can cause trouble in two ways: First, many job candidates will start making judgments from the moment they read your job description, and you don’t want them to jump to wrong conclusions about your company or team. Second, if you don’t clearly define the scope of the job duties and prerequisites, you’ll be knee-deep in resumes from unqualified applicants.

Make sure your description clearly spells out the minimum experience, qualifications and skill sets needed to perform the job functions adequately. You can even use keywords similar to the Search Engine Optimization techniques honed by internet marketers. If your keywords match the top talent’s search terms, then you’re more likely to attract the type of candidates that you want.

To further save time, you could also ask for video resumes. These give you a better feel for the applicants and whether they would be a good fit for the position and the company; within two minutes, you can screen applicants more effectively and efficiently than scheduling an interview with a candidate who turns out to be all wrong for the job.

2. Neglecting Social Media

According to a survey by Bullhorn, 98% of recruiters used social media in 2012 to match candidates with open positions. If you dismiss social media as a viable source of information, you’ll lose top talent to competitors.

This technique offers a efficient way for you to establish your brand, alert the best candidates to your job descriptions and search among passive candidates. In addition to Facebook posts or tweets, you can also participate in industry discussions, chats and groups on networks such as LinkedIn.

Social media also allows you to peek at the more impromptu side of your job candidates. For example, an applicant might look wonderful on paper, but inappropriate Facebook posts could reveal character traits that are a poor match for the open position.

3. Complex Interview Scheduling

Scheduling interviews for each job candidate to meet multiple members of your team gets complicated quickly – and that’s without considering the travel expenses and the “sunk cost” of all that time and effort.

As an alternative, try a video interview, where you give the candidate written questions and receive videotaped answers. If an applicant isn’t qualified, it’s faster and easier to click “stop” than to bring a live interview to an end, and you only pay travel expenses for a few select candidates.

With so many factors to consider, what is a time-strapped employer to do? Utilize an online recruiter, of course! A good online recruiter can help you create job postings, search for and sort through applicants, check their social media presence, interview potential candidates, and make recommendations–saving you tons of time and effort.

Nancy H is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.

 Do you have a wide array of digital experience, including:

• Creating and editing content for Fortune 500 brands?
• Working with large-scale Content Management Systems and knowing every detail of how they function?
• Project management work requiring strong responsibility, leadership, and communication skills?
• A working knowledge of HTML and Vignette?
• A range of war stories from the digital sphere, including online journalism, B2B, B2C, blogging, podcasting, and more?

If so, read on!

A highly visible tech client has a unique position for a multi-faceted digital denizen. You’ll be a cross between a Copyeditor, Content Manager, and Web Publisher, and will leverage your range of know-how to take projects from concept through completion.

This is an onsite job in Schaumburg, Illinois, so reliable transportation is required.

If you are a good fit for this job, or you know someone who may be*, please contact Artisan today through our website, at info@artisantalent.com, or by phone at 800.216.0600.

*When you refer candidates to Artisan and we find the right gigs for them, you will receive referral bonuses of up to $1K!

Requirements:

• 6+ web content management and editing experience
• 4+ years interactive experience
• 2+ online journalism or content marketing experience
• 2+ years of B2B marketing experience
• BA in journalism or a related field
• Transportation to Schaumburg, Illinois

What Is Brand Journalism?

Brand journalism is the buzzword that’s being increasingly used to describe marketing tactics that don’t look or sound like marketing tactics. You can imagine how, if effectively deployed, this could work well for marketers. The modern audience is skeptical and will balk at anything to “salesy.” Search engines are also increasingly sensitive to keyword salad and will punish you for not publishing content a human would want to read. Brand journalism seeks to keep potential customers engaged (and the search engines happy) through the publication of content that’s informative and entertaining – and most importantly, that doesn’t make someone feel like they’re being given the hard sell.

Brand Journalism Through Blogging

There are blogs that simply talk about the goods and services that a company offers, and there are blogs that seek to move beyond that by giving people something interesting to read. How many times can any person read the same repurposed copy without falling asleep? If all you have to say in your blog is how wonderful your company is and what specials you’re offering this week, topped off with aggressive “calls to action,” you’re doing something wrong. Only when you begin to publish interesting content will the readers begin to line up. Once they’re lined up, they’re a lot more likely to give you their business. If you use relevant keywords in your blog posts (without overdoing it or being too ham-fisted), all the better to score greater visibility on the search engines.

Here are a few brand journalism tips you can start using with your next post.

- Update your blog on a frequent and reliable basis. Commit to a particular schedule and stick to it. You don’t have to publish a blog every day. If all you can find the time for is one blog per week, or one blog per month, go with that. Just remain consistent.

- Create articles of interest to your readers or others in your industry. A big part of success in brand journalism is to make yourself an industry expert. That builds trust. Trust translates to business.

Brand Journalism Via Web Video Production

Internet video marketing is one of the most effective ways to bring some serious visibility to your brand. Unfortunately, far too many companies take the straightforward and boring approach when hiring someone to create an online video commercial. This can be detrimental for a few reasons, chief of which is appearing as if you’re only interested in the bottom line. The secret to making that bottom is to be less obvious and more entertaining.

- Hire a videographer to create a humorous video that puts product last and entertainment value first.

- Work with your marketing department on ideas for video content that move beyond the “shop with us” mentality and offer something of value to viewers. If you’re a shoe manufacturer, create a video featuring a roundup of celebrities and their wacky footwear. If your business is computer sales, make an educational and informative short video about the history of computers.

In order to succeed at brand journalism, you have to have two things: ideas and people to help you flesh those ideas out. If you’re short on either, you can seek out experienced and talented professionals to help you achieve your marketing and sales goals by visiting Artisan Talent. Artisan is an online community of freelance professionals of all specialties who are available for hire on a per-job basis. Get started in your search and contact Artisan today.

Vince F is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.

The vast majority of employers now use social networks as recruitment tools. As of 2012, it was reported that 92 percent of employers were either active in social media recruitment or were at least thinking about it. For many recruiters, it’s becoming standard to ask for information on social network profiles.

And even if you aren’t asked, that doesn’t mean you can’t be found. In a workforce as shaky as today’s, that’s cause for concern – especially if you’re not the kind of person who keeps it clean and PC online.

Does this make you want to drop out of social networks altogether and get yourself “off the grid”? Even that could cost you, as social networks can be incredibly effective at generating visibility – especially if you’re exploring your freelance marketing opportunities in a competitive field. If you don’t want loose lips (or fingertips) to cause you to lose out on a potentially life-changing employment opportunity, consider taking some of the following approaches.

Don’t Get Political

This is a tough one, especially for those of us who are political animals. But unless you’re applying for a job in the current Administration or are actively involved in politics as an integral part of your career path, talking smack on “the other side” can backfire on you. Remember, you never know might be reading – and the last thing you want to do is give someone who’s thinking of hiring you a reason to reconsider, particularly if it has nothing to do with your professional qualifications.

Watch the Language!

If you’re not the kind of social media networker to edit yourself because your dear old Aunt Edna might be reading along, you may want to consider watching your language for another critical reason. Your current employer might also be reading along, as might a potential employer, if you’re presently job-hunting or have put your information out there for headhunters and recruiters to discover you. Habitually using foul language is a sure-fire way to get yourself removed from the pool of potential new hires. Some people can be uptight about that sort of thing. Some potential employers assume it reveals an unhealthy lack of restraint. And if you’re the type to say “I don’t want to work for anyone that prudish anyway,” you could be looking at a long spell of unemployment.

Check Your Grammar

Believe it or not, it’s not always what you say but how you say it that can impact your chances at getting a job. Even if you do play it nice with people of differing opinions and walk the straight and narrow, lousy grammar and frequent misspellings just make you look bad. And if a potential employer sees enough of either, it could cause them to get the wrong idea about your communications skills… or lack thereof.

Or, look at it this way: So much of the grammar and spelling online is so atrocious, good self-editing will make you stand out.

Button Up Your Security

The best way to ensure that employers can’t spy on you via your social media profiles is to tighten up your security settings so that only approved parties can access your rants and tirades. But this isn’t a guarantee that recruiters won’t be able to access your social media profiles by getting permission to see what you’re up to through the profile of a friend that may already work for them.

Locking up your public profiles can also make it seem like you’re trying to hide something. As Orwellian as that might sound, it’s a reality that you’re going to have to face the more the world continues to rely on social networks as job seeking and recruitment tools and engaging with social media becomes more and more expected.

Our talent representatives at Artisan can give you a lot more invaluable advice on how to make the most of your online presence. Contact us to learn more.

 If you have a treasuretrove of older articles, don’t just let them sit there—make them do something Try these tips for bringing older posts back into the limelight, and you might get some attention from new potential employers.

Tweak for SEO — Good SEO helps potential new readers—people who are just as passionate about your topic as you are—find you more easily during a search. But don’t let the idea of keywords scare you. Rand Fishkin, the CEO and co-founder of SEOmoz, writes an excellent blog post that stresses why good SEO never needs to stymie good blog writing. In fact, many blog platforms (like WordPress, Joomla and Drupal) have SEO assistance built into them.

Ditch Mysterious Headlines — You may like to write sneaky headlines to coax readers into your blog, but that won’t help your blog get noticed during a Google search. Again, SEO is critical here too. Spend some time making your headline catchy, but also specific and clear as to the content of your post. Then, when a fellow enthusiast types your blog topic into a Google search, your posts will float to the top! You may even connect to potential jobs in creative writing this way!

Share and Tweet — Use the power of social media to revive old blog posts that may still be relevant today. It is possible that newer fans and followers of your blog never saw the great stuff you posted last year, so give them some fresh air with a Facebook post or Tweet during high-traffic times. During an interview for Bloomberg Businessweek, Eric Nakagawa of I Can Has Cheezburger fame says his site often shares posts during lunch, in the evening, and in the morning, when fans are looking for a funny diversion. Think about what your audience wants and when your followers will be most receptive.

Connect Old and New Posts — As you continue to write regularly (and you must if you want to use your blog as a springboard for finding work), use new posts to connect readers to older posts by linking back to them within the newer content. This gives your newer fans a chance to catch up on what they missed before they started reading your blog. Never skip a chance to refer back to great older content in your newer posts.

Branch Out into Other Media — Have you ever tried uploading a podcast or a YouTube video? Not only do these media give you a chance to talk about older blogs in connection with newer blogs in a different format, they also give you more SEO opportunities.

Most importantly, just keep writing! Continuously adding fresh content to your blog and using that to keep your older posts in play will help you bring in more readers and solidify the relationship you have with your current ones! Happy blogging!

Andrea M is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.

Be Prepared

Images that are chosen after your text has been written may come across to viewers as generic or irrelevant. Avoid this problem by planning the content of your website - text and images – in tandem.

Before beginning your webpage, know how many images you wish to use and what the main point of each image will be. To help you choose the right picture for each available spot, make a short list describing the purpose or message of each intended image. Allow your chosen images to influence the text, and allow the text to influence your choice of images.

Less Is More

Keep your image simple. Use flat or minimalist backgrounds, in colors related to the image’s central figure. Photographs that place your central figure against a flat wall or a subtly textured background will keep the focus of the image on the subject. Busy backgrounds have a snap-shot like quality that can distract from the image’s main message.

Trick Of The Light

Lighting is equally important. Pictures that feature subjects that are too dark, too light or washed-out may be ignored or misinterpreted. Lighting extremes, with deep shadows and harsh, bright light can create confusion as well. When in doubt, diffuse natural day light is flattering and attractive, and will keep the image clear and informative.

Size Matters

Although a digital image can be shrunk to a size much smaller than the original, a digital photo cannot—should not—be enlarged beyond its actual size, or resized using HTML. Doing so compromises the focus and quality of the image. To avoid issues, use digital images much larger than you need and plan to reduce the size of the image as required.

Captions and Alt Tags

Don’t forget the alt tags. This is an important detail that’s easy to overlook. Text readers rely on alt tags to convey information from your image to the visually impaired. Alt tags are also recognized by search engines and can lead traffic directly to your site.

Captions can be helpful when used properly. Think of a caption as a chance to support the information in the corresponding image and offer extra, related information. Avoid captions that restate the obvious information provided by the picture.

Stock Photography

Avoid stock photographs that appear on hundreds of other websites. These images have a generic quality users will be sensitive to, and will detract from the uniqueness of your site.

When In Doubt, Seek Professional Help

For a sleek, professional site with clear and informative images, plan to hire a web designer, and maybe a professional photographer. People with web design careers have special insight that allow them to choose tasteful, interesting and informative images that capture attention and enrich the user’s experience.

Leslie C is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.

One of the new toys that developers and designers have been tinkering with are Fixed Headers (a/k/a “sticky navigation”). These static menus hold their place at the top of the browser window as readers scroll down, keeping options at eye level.

But the latest thing isn’t always the greatest thing. Consider the needs of the advertiser and their target audience when implementing this design strategy, as well as some of these pros and cons.

 The Good

People like them. Industry experts Smashing Magazine conducted a study that indicated 100% of visitors polled preferred sticky menus, without even knowing why. Short of the word “free,” it would be difficult to find another tool that so drastically improved user response.

They Prevent Leaks. Having ever-present navigation retains leads. When readers end up halfway down a page without a convenient way to move around, they resort to using familiar tools. More often than not, this includes the dreaded “back” button!

They Expedite the Process. The same Smashing study indicated that fixed headers are 22% faster to navigate. Although this number may not seem significant, it matters tremendously in a world where delays lasting literally as long as the blink of an eye can cost leads.

They Allow Flexibility. For these reasons, employing fixed headers can allow greater design options. Creating a hot, vertically-scrolling page wouldn’t be feasible without sticky nav.

The Bad and The Ugly

Lost in Translation. Mobile developers need to consider this limitation especially; sticky navigation with the “fixed” element does not always render effectively on mobile and tablet devices. Thorough compatibility testing should be conducted prior to release, and visionaries need to be ready to part with those pretty pixels if necessary.

When Headers Attack. Sometimes “sticky nav” can make visitors feel violated. A fixed header that is too intrusive, distracting, jerky, or buggy will turn readers off. If the header interferes with the content, readers will hate the site, not in spite of, but because of their interest in it. The whole point of providing easy menu access is lost if an audience is so annoyed by it that they resort to the good old “back” button just to feel normal again. Don’t overdo it.

This can be remedied by employing visual elements that help divide the two areas – using banners and ribbons, for example, or creating a subtle disruption with color or text style.

You Say Po-tah-to. When considering a fixed header, keep viewer’s personas and the needs of the advertiser in mind. The same trendy technique that sells hosting to startups like hotcakes will not likely appeal to seniors interested in life insurance.

It’s tempting to employ trendy technology just for the sake of fun. Trying new tricks is stimulating and challenging. But as enticing as it may be, the best designers are always those who assess and fully realize the needs of their clients.

Helena L is a freelance writer available on WriterAccess, a marketplace where clients and expert writers connect for assignments.